Eschew Obfuscation

This is my motto. It’s a core philosophy adopted in college some 30-odd years ago, and still declared on my Road ID.

I’ve always interpreted the phrase to mean “Keep things clear,” and it’s been a part of my life for so long, I take that meaning in every aspect of my life, from writing, to work, to relationships.

To me it means I should be clear in my goals, clear in my wants and desires, and don’t depend on someone else’s interpretation of my meaning.

It’s a useful tool in storytelling, when one is outlining and sketching out the bare bones of a story. I have come to learn, however, that a lot of depth and color of setting and character is lost with that classic “Just the facts, ma’am” mindset. So eschew, but don’t eschew too much.

In my personal life, being clear has meant the difference between an evening at a loud bar in uncomfortable shoes and bra, and cozied up with a good book on the couch in fuzzy pants. “I’ll tell you what I want, what I really really want.”

And just to be clear (see what I did there?), this is what MS Word’s thesaurus says about these two simple words that have been governing my life for so long:

Eschew

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obfuscation:

 

 

 

 

 

Clear as mud, no?

Avoid complication, shun confusion, and steer clear of smokescreens. All good mottos for life.

Gawd, I was BRILLIANT when I was 18…

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